MP savages Prime Minister as cuts hit those most in need

Prime Minister David Cameron faced the wrath of Burnley MP Julie Cooper in Parliament, following his announcements of further Government cuts to Burnley Council’s already decimated budget.

Having endured massive Government cuts of 54% since 2010, the borough council briefly had its hopes raised when the minister responsible pledged that he had listened to complaints across the country and promised to allocate an additional £300m. during the next two years. However, these hopes were dashed when a further cut of 4.8% was announced for Burnley while other, more affluent areas such as South Ribble and Uttlesford have had their budgets increased by 6.4%.

I believe that these further cuts will confirm to the people of Burnley and Padiham that this Conservative Government will always prioritise the needs of the richest at the expense of the poorest and most vulnerable

Julie Cooper

In an impassioned speech Mrs Cooper challenged the absence of a transparent formula to explain the distribution of funding saying it came down to no more than “a word in the Prime Minister’s ear”.

Mrs Cooper’s vented her anger to a full House of Commons, focusing on the effect of these cuts on the people of Burnley and Padiham, in a speech which asked the Prime Minister if he had stopped to think of the impact of the cuts on people and questioned whether David Cameron actually cared.

The Burnley MP added: “The cuts will result in reduced social care services for the elderly and disabled; the closure of community centres and libraries; the loss of bus services; the loss of support for those fleeing domestic violence and the withdrawal of services for those struggling with autism. The most vulnerable will carry the heaviest burden.”

Mrs Cooper concluded by accusing the Prime Minister of cheating Burnley: “I believe that these further cuts will confirm to the people of Burnley and Padiham that this Conservative Government will always prioritise the needs of the richest at the expense of the poorest and most vulnerable.”